Alcohol, marijuana, and opiates are often drugs that teens turn to in high school. Some are now choosing to inhale toxic household products they can easily obtain such as computer air dusters, gasoline, butane, Freon, paint thinner, glues, whipped cream, and anything else in an aerosol can. This is called “huffing”. Some youths first use inhalants when they are around 11 or 12. For some, it is the first or second drug kids try (even before alcohol or cigarettes). About 2.6 million children ages 12 to 17 uses an inhalant each year to get high. If you’re worried your child may be “huffing” or partaking in the consumption of other drugs, you may want to look into getting a selection of cups in order to test them for different illicit substances.
Huffing occurs when sprays are put into a plastic bag and inhaled, a rag or sock is soaked in the chemical and then the vapors are inhaled, or vapors are inhaled directly out of the container. The fumes end up cutting off oxygen to the brain, producing a high. Lack of oxygen and cardiac arrest are the leading causes of sudden death from huffing. People who suffer cardiac arrest have a higher chance of survival if they have better access to medical equipment that could potentially save their life. By having something similar to this AED Leader’s value packages in and around as many public spaces as possible could help to prevent an individual from facing a sudden death from huffing. Not only can it save someone from the consequences of huffing, but it can help to treat anyone who may suffer from a deadly medical issue.
In a 2011 study, 11% of US teens said they had used inhalants in their lifetime. In Massachusetts 5% of high school students reported using inhalants in the past 30 days. This method of drug use is a problem because these chemicals are readily available in homes and stores and are not illegal to sell or possess.